After losing the Kolkata derby, East Bengal faces strong Mumbai in its second encounter of the Indian Football League 2020-21. It will be the first meeting between the two sides.
Match Timings: Dec 01, 7:30 PM
Team Preview
Sergio Lobero’s men are ready to face the I-League giants East Bengal in matchweek three on Tuesday night. Mumbai outperformed Goa in its previous meeting by 1-0 in a thriller. The former A-League striker Fondre struck his first goal for Mumbai through a penalty in injury time. It was a much-needed victory for Lobero after facing a shocking defeat to North East in the opening encounter. Kwesi Appiah’s penalty created the difference in match week one.
The Islanders will add Jahouh, who completed his one-match suspension after acquiring a red card in the first match. Lobero would stick to his usual 4-2-3-1 formation with two top-class strikers Fondre and Ogbeche. Mumbai would expect the scoring from Ogbeche, who was the joint top-scorer last season.
Meanwhile, East Bengal will play its second match of the season. They started the campaign slightly late comparing the other teams, and in its first match, they appeared in the Kolkata derby. East Bengal’s weak record against Mohun B continued as they lost another derby encounter after I-League, giving the clean sheet in both.
It was a pretty close fight between two sides, but East Bengal couldn’t convert its opportunities. Roy Krishna started the scoring with a first half-goal. In the 85th minute, Manvir Singh scored the second to assure the victory for Mohun B. Pilkington was outstanding for East Bengal. Still, Robbie Fowler’s men couldn't get Matti Steinmann in the second half to provide him enough support.
East Bengal got a good time for the preparation ahead of the opening clash. Under Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, they are a good side, but the task is not easy. The competition is bigger after the new signings this season. Pilkington is their best signing this year. In pre-season, the former Irish international scored a brace in the victory against Kerala.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Mumbai
Lineup: Amrinder Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Tondomba Singh, Mourtada Fall, Sarthak Golui, Ahmed Jahouh, Rowllin Borges, Hugo Boumous, Raynier Fernandes, Adam Le Fondre, Bartholomew Ogbeche
Previous match: 1-0 victory against Goa
East Bengal
Lineup: Debjit Majumder; Gurtej Singh, Daniel Fox, Scott Neville, Samad Mallick; Matti Steinmann, Mohammed Rafique, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Anthony Pilkington, Jacques Maghoma; Jeje Lalpekhlua
Previous match: 2-0 defeat to Mohun B.
Key Players
Mumbai
Bartholomew Ogbeche
15 goals in Indian Football League 2019-20
Adam le Fondre
20 goals in A-League 2019-20
1 goal in Indian Football League 2020-21
East Bengal
Anthony Pilkington
2 goals in pre-season 2020
Mirshad Michu
2 clean-sheets in I-League 2020-21
